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Compliance Updates

Brace Yourselves: Curaçao’s New Gambling Law Is at the Door!

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Curaçao is approaching the finishing line of their online gambling reform, with the new law being sent to the parliament. Markus Björk at Slotsoo has been in touch with both the Ministry of Finance and several Curaçao operators to find out how they feel about this big change. Do European license providers have a reason to feel threatened by Curaçao casinos 2.0?

LOK Now Just Waiting for Parliament Approval

On December 19th, Curaçao’s Ministry of Finance informed that the new law has been officially submitted to the parliament. The National Ordinance for Games of Chance, commonly referred to as LOK (Landsverordening op de kansspelen), is expected to come into effect in the first half of 2024.

Finance Minister Javier Silvania, the front figure of the reform, shares his excitement about this historical moment:

“We are very happy to reach this final stage. The submission of the LOK to Parliament is not just a procedural step, but a leap towards transformative progress.”

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No More Master Licenses or Middle Men

The current setup of the Curaçao casino license is very unique, with four master license holders being in charge of giving licenses to individual casino operators and ensuring their compliance to the regulations.

This has resulted in big quality differences, and if you were to ask ten EU players how they feel about Curaçao casinos you would get very varied replies. Another critique with the current system is that most of the financial gain goes to the four master license holders, while the island of Curaçao is left with light pockets.

LOK will put an end to master licenses and middle men and require all licenses to be applied directly from Curaçao’s Gaming Control Board. This means more uniformed quality and better control. The new law will also require gambling companies to have physical presence on the island, creating new job opportunities for the locals.

The Curaçao casinos we interviewed all welcome the new setup. Spinwise (Tsars Casino) sees some hurdles, but says it will be worth it in the long run:

“The prohibition of sublicensing by master licensees introduces a new financial dynamic for individual companies, albeit with associated fees. While adaptation to the new framework may pose short-term challenges, the long-term benefits are expected to outweigh these initial obstacles.”

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The Curaçao License Will Remain Tax Free

Curaçao has been a popular license choice for casino entrepreneurs ever since its conception. Alpha Affiliates’ Chief Legal Officer Alexandra Shepelevich lists the three main benefits of the Curaçao license:
  1. No tax on winnings
  2. No restrictions on player nationality
  3. Strong regulatory framework
Curaçao will not try to change this recipe with the new law. The Gross profit tax will stay at 0% for all license holders no matter how big or small the revenue is. This is a stark contrast to most licenses in Europe.
A common concern among Curaçao operators is that the new system will cause a high barrier for entry, which some see as a positive thing. The new fees for a Curaçao casino will be approximately 50000€ a year (annual license fee 24600€ + monthly fee 12 x 2050€ + yearly domain fee 250€/each, numbers based on current ANG-EUR exchange rates).
Another strategy to keep unserious casinos away is the introduction of a digital seal, which will be made available on 1st of January 2024. The digital seal is issued by Curaçao’s Gaming Control Board and will help players confirm that the website has an active license.

Keeping the Balance Is Crucial for Success

Finance Minister Javier Silvania shares that they had a very inclusive approach when drafting the new law. They consulted all the stakeholders to make sure LOK will consider different perspectives and not just serve one group. The country of Curaçao, its citizens, the gambling industry, and the players should all benefit from the reform.

Many license jurisdictions that go through a re-regulation fall into the trap of legislating too much, without the government listening to the industry or the players enough. This leads to fewer license holders and lower channelization rates, as both the operators and the players search for more attractive solutions from other countries.

All the casinos that we spoked to agree that a good balance between regulations and operational freedom needs to remain. Mark Wellington, Rollino Casino’s Chief Compliance Officer, elaborates this point in his interview with Slotsoo:
“One current challenge is maintaining a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring strict compliance with regulatory standards. Striking this balance is crucial to support a dynamic and competitive industry while safeguarding player interests.”

We wish Curaçao good luck with their new start in 2024!

Compliance Updates

AGA, ECA and BGC Sign MOU

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The American Gaming Association (AGA), European Casino Association (ECA), and the Betting & Gaming Council (BGC) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that marks the beginning of a collaboration grounded in shared industry values and priorities. The MOU formalizes a commitment among the three associations to address key issues facing the global gaming industry including illegal gambling, responsible gaming, innovation, and security.

“This new partnership is a significant step forward in our collective efforts to advance the legal gaming industry and protect consumers around the globe. By sharing our unique resources, we will expand our fight against illegal gambling to new fronts, work together to strengthen responsible gaming, and innovate around business best practices,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.

“By fostering dialogue and cooperation across borders, the AGA, ECA, and BGC are taking a proactive approach to safeguarding the integrity of the legal gaming industry and ensuring its continued growth and success,” Miller added.

The MOU will create a platform for undertaking joint research projects and bringing each organization’s staff and members together to share expertise.

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“The European Casino Association stands united with the AGA and BGC in its commitment to addressing the key issues facing all gaming industry stakeholders. The ECA fully backs this initiative and supports the ongoing efforts to rigorously combat illegality within our industry, continuously strengthen player protections and security, and ensure the creation of an environment that fosters innovation and growth within the gaming community. On behalf of the ECA, I look forward to participating in the forthcoming law enforcement roundtable and to sharing the benefits of these learnings with our members,” said Erwin van Lambaart, Chairman of the European Casino Association.

Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst said: “This partnership marks a new chapter in our shared vision to build a world-class, trusted and sustainable betting and gaming industry. BGC members are rightly proud of their reputation as global leaders, and they know the power of collaboration. Working together with the AGA and ECA, I am confident our shared knowledge and expertise will be vital to bolstering safer gambling standards while tackling the threat of the growing and unsafe unregulated gambling black market in the UK.”

The first initiative under this MOU will be a law enforcement roundtable focused on combating illegal gambling. Scheduled for January 2025, this roundtable will bring together industry leaders, law enforcement officials, and regulators to discuss the impact of illegal gambling on legal operators, consumer safety, and the global financial system. The session will also explore strategies for enhancing cross-jurisdictional communication and developing actionable solutions to address these challenges.

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Compliance Updates

Stake approved by Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, included in list of authorised operators

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Stake approved by Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, included in list of authorised operators

 

Stake is thrilled to announce that Brazil’s Ministry of Finance has officially included Stake Brazil Ltda. in the country’s list of authorised betting operators.

The decision was made following a thorough review of Stake’s application and supporting documents and will allow the brand to operate in Brazil’s booming iGaming market.

While the Ministry of Finance is in the process of evaluating a full licence application, Stake’s inclusion on the authorised operator list will allow Stake Brazil to continue offering the best-in-class gaming and betting experience that local consumers have come to expect.

Stake’s commitment to Brazil will soon be further enhanced, with plans to open an office in São Paulo. The operator will also hire a dedicated country manager, just as it has in other key Latam territories, to bolster operations and hire additional team members. This is in order to grow the local footprint in the region, while complementing Stake’s global operations.

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From a partnerships point of view in Brazil, Stake has already enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Série A side Juventude during its first season with the club, which culminated in a journey to the Campeonato Gaucho Final & Copa do Brazil Quarter Final.

Stake’s partnership with UFC in Brazil has also gone from strength to strength over the years while working with athletes like Alex Pereira and Alexandre Pantoja as they aim to cement their champion status.

Stake would like to extend its gratitude to customers, partners, and the Brazilian regulatory authorities for their support and cooperation during this process.

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Canada

BetConstruct to Help Partners Acquire Tobique Gaming Licence

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BetConstruct to Help Partners Acquire Tobique Gaming Licence

 

Online gaming industry veterans BetConstruct announce that they are now able to assist partners in acquiring the prestigious Tobique Gaming Licence.

Issued by the Tobique First Nation of New Brunswick, Canada, the Tobique Gaming Licence provides a gateway in the form of vigorous regulatory framework and responsible gaming practices. The licence is overseen by the Tobique Gaming Commission. Operators holding the Tobique Gaming Licence are required to be in full compliance with local regulations, amounting to increased trust between markets and operators.

 

Here’s Why Operators Need the Tobique Licence:

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  • Entry to new and emerging markets: Operators holding the licence will be able to expand their reach into diverse local markets, all while remaining compliant with regulations. This will allow them to acquire a wider customer base.
  • Upholding responsible gaming: With responsible gaming being of high importance in the industry, the Tobique licence helps operators foster a secure gaming environment, highlight the significance of responsible practices, and enhance customer trust.
  • Favourable tax policy: Operators holding a Tobique licence benefit from exemptions on various taxes and levies related to gaming activities, allowing for substantial profit growth while in full compliance with relevant regulations.
  • Streamlined payment and supplier risk management: The licence ensures faster onboarding processes while maintaining confidence in the jurisdiction’s robust controls.

 

Additional Benefits of Holding the Tobique Licence:

  • Easy application process through an online portal with fast processing times.
  • A dedicated team of professionals readily available for timely assistance.
  • Minimal application and maintenance fees (with no taxes).
  • No requirements for local company presence, personnel, or infrastructure in the jurisdiction.

As a reputable company, BetConstruct remains committed to endorsing regulatory policies and championing responsible gaming. Through collaborating with the Tobique First Nation, the company is eager to aid partners in upholding regulatory compliance, particularly within the framework of entering new markets. This amounts to a safer industry for all involved

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